LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL GUIDEBOOK INFORMATION
Dangers & Annoyances
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As a traveller, you are most vulnerable to pickpockets, dishonest waiters, car thieves and the scams of the capital’s so-called konzumlányok, attractive ‘consume girls’ in collusion with rip-off bars and clubs who will see you relieved of a serious chunk of money.
Pick pocketing is most common at popular tourist sights, near major hotels, in flea markets and on certain forms of public transport in Budapest. The usual method on the street is for someone to distract you by running into you and then apologising profusely – as an accomplice takes off with the goods.
It is not unknown for waiters to try to rip you off once they see/hear that you are a foreigner. They may try to bring you an unordered dish or make a ‘mistake’ when tallying the bill. If you think there’s a discrepancy, ask for the menu and check the bill carefully. If you’ve been taken for more than 15% or 20% of the bill, call for the manager. Otherwise just don’t leave a tip.
Most Hungarian car thieves are not after fancy Western models because of the difficulty in getting rid of them. But Volkswagens, Audis and the like are very popular, and are easy to dismantle and ship abroad. Don’t leave anything of value, including luggage, inside the car.
Emergency Numbers
ambulance %104
central emergency number (English spoken) %112
English-language crime hotline %1-438 8080 (8am-8pm), 06 80 660 044 (8pm-8am)
fire %105
police %107
24-hour car assistance %188
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